Multimode controller for video games

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a speed controller, in particular for video games, capable of operating according to a sequential mode and a manual mode comprising: a support casing ( 1 ), a lever ( 2 ) hingeably mounted on said support casing and capable of pivoting from a neutral position, in a longitudinal direction around a transversal axis and in a transversal direction around a longitudinal axis, and detection means for detecting, in the manual mode, at least two different positions of the lever obtained by the pivoting thereof in at least the longitudinal direction from the neutral position and, in the sequential mode, at least two different positions of the lever, characterized in that the detection means are capable of detecting, in the sequential mode, at least two different positions of the lever obtained by the pivoting thereof in the transversal direction from the neutral position.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a speed controller, particularly for avideo game, that may operate at least according to a sequential mode anda manual mode.

The invention relates to a speed controller consisting in a controllerfor video games making it possible to simulate the use of one or more ofthe members for controlling the speed of a simulated vehicle, that is tosay more precisely a controller that generates information correspondingto the activation of a gear shift lever (or shifter), of an acceleratoror brake (hand brake, for example) for a simulated vehicle.

More particularly, the invention relates to a speed controller that mayoperate at least according to a sequential mode and a manual mode,comprising a support casing, a lever hingeably mounted on said supportcasing and able to pivot, from a neutral position, in a longitudinaldirection around a transversal axis and in a transversal directionaround a longitudinal axis, the transversal and longitudinal axes beingorthogonal, and detection means able to detect, in the manual mode, atleast two different positions of the speed controller lever obtained bypivoting the speed controller lever at least in the longitudinaldirection from the neutral position and, in the sequential mode, atleast two different positions of the speed controller lever.

Background

Such a speed controller is for example described in patent document U.S.Pat. No. 7,650,810. In the sequential mode, the gear shift lever pivotsaround the transversal axis between two different positions on eitherside of the neutral position. In order to guide the movement of the gearshift lever between the neutral position and the various positions ofthe manual mode and/or the sequential mode, the speed controller isprovided with a gate comprising a transversal slot also called neutralrow and a plurality of longitudinal slots opening into the transversalslot.

In the sequential mode, the user moves the lever in two facinglongitudinal slots placed on either side of the neutral position. Forthe change from the manual mode to the sequential mode, the gate ismodified by a sliding mechanism in order to restrict the movement of thegear shift lever to the two aforementioned longitudinal slots. The gatemay also be replaced by another gate comprising one single longitudinalslot corresponding to the two facing longitudinal slots.

The implementation of such a speed controller requires, in addition todetection means for detecting all of the positions of the manual modeand the sequential mode, so called transversal elastic return means toelastically bring the speed controller lever back to the neutralposition along a transversal direction as well as so called longitudinalelastic return means to elastically bring the speed controller leverback to the neutral position along a longitudinal direction, thelongitudinal elastic return means only being of use in the sequentialmode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aim of the invention is to propose a new configuration of the speedcontroller making it possible to reduce the number of components and thecost of the speed controller.

Another aim of the invention is to provide such a speed controller withimproved ergonomics.

Another aim of the invention, according to at least one embodiment, isto provide a multi-mode speed controller able to alternately simulatethe operation of the various members for controlling the speed of asimulated vehicle while preserving the realism of the video games.

Another aim of the invention is to provide such a speed controller,whose modifications with respect to the prior art are simple andinexpensive to implement.

According to at least one embodiment, the aim of the invention is alsoto provide a speed controller which can be easily attached to differentsupports and the positioning of which on the support may be easilymodified.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a speed controller that isprecise to use.

According to at least one embodiment, the aim of the invention is alsoto provide a speed controller with a relatively reduced encumbrance.

To this end, the present invention relates to a speed controller,particularly for video games, capable of being operated at leastaccording to a sequential mode and a manual mode, comprising a supportcasing, a lever that is hingeably mounted on said support casing andcapable of pivoting, from a neutral position, in a longitudinaldirection around a transversal axis and in a transversal directionaround a longitudinal axis, and detection means capable of detecting, inthe manual mode, at least two different positions of the speedcontroller lever obtained by pivoting the speed controller lever in atleast said longitudinal direction from the neutral position and, in thesequential mode, at least two different positions of the speedcontroller lever shifted with respect to the neutral position, saidspeed controller being characterized in that the detection means areable to detect, in the sequential mode, at least two different positionsof the speed controller lever obtained by pivoting said lever in saidtransversal direction from the neutral position.

Thus, according to the invention, the positions of the speed controllerlever in the sequential mode are obtained by moving the speed controllerlever in a direction corresponding to the neutral row of the speedcontroller. Thus, it is not necessary to provide the speed controllerwith longitudinal elastic return means.

Advantageously, the manual mode comprises at least four positions, forexample 6 or 8 positions.

According to a particular embodiment, the speed controller furthercomprises a first gate mounted or able to be mounted on said supportcasing, said first gate comprising, for the passage of the speedcontroller lever, a transversal slot (neutral row of the manual mode)and at least two longitudinal slots opening into said transversal slot,said transversal slot being positioned and sized to guide the speedcontroller lever between the neutral position and said at least twopositions of the sequential mode and said longitudinal slots beingpositioned and sized to guide the speed controller lever between thetransversal slot and said at least four positions of the manual mode.

According to a particular embodiment, the first gate is a removablegate. In this embodiment, the speed controller lever comprises, at itsupper free end, a knob removably attached to the rod of said lever inorder to make it possible to remove the first gate.

According to a particular embodiment, the speed controller lever has inthe sequential mode two different positions arranged on either side ofthe neutral position, the transversal slot of the first gate being sizedsuch that said two different positions are reached by moving the speedcontroller lever towards the ends of said transversal slot, said twodifferent positions being reached before or in abutment against the endsof the transversal slot.

Advantageously, the speed controller comprises a second removable gateable to be mounted on the support casing or, alternatively, on saidfirst gate, said second gate comprising for the passage of the speedcontroller lever, one single transversal slot, said transversal slot ofsaid second gate being sized such that, when the speed controller leverhas in sequential mode two different positions arranged on either sideof the neutral position, said two different positions are reached bymoving the speed controller lever towards the ends of said transversalslot.

Advantageously, the length of the transversal slot of the second gate islower than the length of the transversal slot of the first gate, saidtwo different positions of the sequential mode being reached when thespeed controller lever abuts against the ends of the transversal slot ofthe second gate. The length of the transversal slot of this second gateis determined to obtain a short travel for the sequential mode.

The speed controller lever comprises elastic return means to bring backthe speed controller lever elastically from said at least two positionsof the sequential mode towards said neutral position.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the support casing comprises astationary set, preferably equipped with fixing means, to be fixedlymounted, in a way that can be detached, on a support such as a table,and a movable set whereon the speed controller lever is hingeablymounted, said movable set being mounted rotatable on said stationary setaround a rotational axis substantially perpendicular to said transversalaxis and said longitudinal axis.

The movable set may also be integrated into the casing of a video gamecontroller for example, in the casing of a steering wheel. In this case,said movable set is mounted movable in rotation with respect to thecasing of said video game controller, said casing thus constituting thestationary set, and the video game controller with the integrated speedcontroller thus constituting the support casing.

The ergonomics of the speed controller is improved as the rotation ofthe movable set makes it possible to adjust, depending on the locationof the speed controller and the user needs, the direction of the slotsof the gate or gates with respect to the support whereon the movable setis fixed. The user may thus pivot the speed controller lever moreeasily.

During the change from the manual mode to the sequential mode, the usermay also pivot the movable set around its rotational axis, preferably at90°, to modify the orientation of the transversal axis and thus theorientation of the neutral row of the manual mode, of the speedcontroller and improve its ergonomics.

According to a particular embodiment, the stationary set comprises asupport plate provided with a substantially circular opening throughwhich said movable set is mounted movable in rotation.

The movable set comprises a rim movable in rotation around therotational axis in the opening of the support plate, the inner passageof the rim being traversed by the speed controller lever, and a supportframe, fixed to the lower wall of said rim, the speed controller leverbeing pivotally hinged around said transversal axis and saidlongitudinal axis via articulation means.

According to a particular embodiment, the support frame is U shaped andcomprises a base and two parallel lateral branches extending from saidbase and said articulation means are mounted between the lateralbranches of the support frame. The first gate is thus mounted on anupper wall of the rim.

Advantageously, the support casing comprises means for rotationallylocking said movable set on the stationary set.

According to a particular embodiment, the rotationally locking means areable to lock said movable set in at least a manual position and asequential position that are angularly shifted by 90° from each other.

The rotationally locking means comprise a catch mounted movable intranslation on said support plate and able to cooperate with at leasttwo recesses provided in the outer wall of the rim and angularly shiftedto lock the rotation of said rim.

The detection means preferably comprise a unique Hall-effect sensorassociated to a magnet, said Hall-effect sensor being mounted on amember among the lower free end of the speed controller lever and thesupport casing, said magnet being mounted opposite from said Hall-effectsensor on the other member among the lower free end of the speedcontroller lever and the support casing.

Advantageously, this Hall-effect sensor is mounted on the movable set,particularly on the base of the support frame of said movable set, andthe magnet is mounted opposite from said Hall-effect sensor on the lowerend of the speed controller lever.

Alternatively, the Hall-effect sensor of said detection means is mountedon the lower end of the speed controller lever and the magnet is mountedopposite from said Hall-effect sensor on the stationary set,particularly on the base of the support frame.

Finally, the support casing advantageously comprises fixing means, forexample U-bolt or clamp type fixing means, for fixing said supportcasing to a piece of furniture such as a table or a desk.

The main application of the speed controller of the invention is used tosimulate a speed selecting apparatus that may operate according to asequential mode and a manual mode.

According to another application, the speed controller of the inventionis used to simulate a hand brake.

According to another application, the speed controller of the inventionis used to simulate both a hand brake and a manual accelerator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and other objects, details,characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from thefollowing detailed explanatory description, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, among which:

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a speed controller inaccordance with the invention wherein the speed controller is providedwith a gate for operating in a manual mode and possibly in sequentialmode;

FIG. 2 an overall perspective view of a speed controller in accordancewith the invention wherein the speed controller is provided with a gatefor operating in the sequential mode;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the speed controller of FIG. 1 whereinthe upper cover and the lower cover of the speed controller have beenremoved;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the speed controller of FIG. 3 without thefixing means;

FIG. 5 represents, by way of example, positions of the speed controllerlever detected by a three-axis Hall-effect sensor for the sequentialmode;

FIG. 6 represents, by way of example, positions of the speed controllerlever detected by a three-axis Hall-effect sensor for the manual mode;

FIG. 7 represents on its own a perspective view of a gate for the manualmode;

FIG. 8 represents on its own a perspective view of a gate for thesequential mode;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1 wherein thefixing system of the speed controller has been removed;

FIG. 10 represents on its own a perspective view of a support plate ofthe speed controller; and

FIG. 11 represents on its own a perspective view of a rim of the speedcontroller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a speed controller for video games which mayoperate in a manual mode, also called H mode, and a sequential mode,also called automatic mode.

The term “video game” in particular encompasses recreational videogames, serious games and vehicle driving or piloting simulator software.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the speed controller comprises:

-   -   a support casing 1,    -   a lever 2 comprising a rod 20 equipped at its upper free end        with a preferably removable knob 21,    -   means 3 for articulating the speed controller lever to make it        possible to pivot the lever 2, from a neutral position, in a        longitudinal direction around a transversal axis Y and in a        transversal direction around a longitudinal axis X, and    -   detection means 4 capable of detecting, in the manual mode, the        neutral position and eight different positions of the lever 2        obtained by pivoting the lever 2 in the longitudinal direction        and the transversal direction from the neutral position and, in        the sequential mode, the neutral position and two different        positions of the lever 2 transversally shifted with respect to        the neutral position and obtained by pivoting the lever 2 in        said transversal direction from the neutral position.

Thus, in the sequential mode, the user moves the speed controller leveralong the neutral row of the lever 2. As will be seen further down, thisnew configuration particularly makes it possible to use already-existenttransversal elastic return means of the speed controller to bring back,in the sequential mode, the lever 2 towards the neutral position.

The different positions of the speed controller lever in the manual modeand in the sequential mode are illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 6. In additionto the neutral position referenced N, the sequential mode comprises twopositions, referenced S1 and S2, arranged on either side of the neutralposition N, and the manual mode comprises eight positions referenced M1to M8, each two facing each other with respect to the neutral positionN. Each one of these positions corresponds to a particular position ofthe lower end of the speed controller lever 2.

The support casing 1 is provided, in its upper portion, with apreferably removable gate 5, for guiding the travel of the speedcontroller lever between the neutral position and the differentpositions of the speed controller lever in both manual and sequentialmodes. It also comprises an upper cover 10A and a lower cover 10Bassembled by clipping or screwing.

Gate 5 is mounted on the support casing 1 and comprises, for the passageof the lever 2, a transversal slot 51 and eight longitudinal slots 52each opening into the transversal slot as illustrated on FIG. 7. Thetransversal slot 51 is positioned and sized in order to guide the travelof the lower free end of the lever 2 between the neutral position N andthe two positions S1 and S2 of the sequential mode. Likewise, each oneof the longitudinal slots 52 is positioned and sized in order to guidethe travel of the lower free end of the speed controller lever betweenthe transversal slot 51 and one of the positions M1 to M8 of the manualmode.

These positions are detected by the detection means 4. These detectionmeans comprise a three-axis Hall-effect sensor 41 associated to a magnet42. A three-axis Hall-effect sensor provides great precision typicallygreater than that of a potentiometer or an optical encoder. Itsencumbrance is also lower. The three-axis Hall-effect sensor 41 ismounted on a printed circuit board 43, itself mounted on a stationaryportion of the support casing, and the magnet 42 is mounted on the lowerfree end of the lever 2 opposite to the Hall-effect sensor.

According to an alternative, the Hall-effect sensor 41 is mounted on thelower free end of the lever 2 and the magnet 42 is mounted opposite tothe Hall-effect sensor on a stationary portion of the support casing.

Advantageously, the speed controller comprises a second removable gate 6which may be mounted on the support casing 1 over gate 5 or to replacegate 5, this second gate being specifically designed for the sequentialmode to guide the travel of the lower free end of the lever 2 betweenthe neutral position N and the two positions S1 and S2 of the sequentialmode. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the gate 6 only comprises a transversalslot 61 sized in order to allow for the travel of the speed controllerlever lower free end only between neutral position N and positions S1and S2 in the sequential mode.

Advantageously, the length of the transversal slot 61 is lower than thelength of the transversal slot 51 to reduce the travel of the speedcontroller lever in the sequential mode, the positions S1 and S2 thusbeing reached when the speed controller lever 2 is in abutment againstthe ends of the transversal slot 61.

Alternatively, instead of gate 6, shutters which may cover at leastpartially the longitudinal slots 52 of the gate 5 in order to guide thespeed controller lever in the sequential mode may be provided.

In order to modify the orientation of the neutral row and improve theergonomics of the speed controller, the support casing 1 comprises astationary set 11 and a movable set 12 whereon the speed controllerlever is hingeably mounted. The movable set 12 is mounted movable inrotation on the stationary set around a rotational axis Z which issubstantially perpendicular to axes X and Y as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The stationary set 11 comprises a support plate 111 provided with acircular opening 112 through which the movable set 12 is mounted movablein rotation. This plate is shown on its own in FIG. 10. In this figure,the external outline of the support plate 111 is oval such that thesupport plate 11 is rotationally locked with respect to the upper cover10A and/or the lower cover 10B. It could be of different shape.

The movable set 12 comprises a circular-shaped rim 120, movable inrotation around axis Z in the opening 112 and a support frame 121fastened to the lower wall of the rim. The rim defines an inner passagetraversed by the speed controller lever.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the rim 120 is made of an upper rim 120A anda lower rim 120B. The lower rim 120B is provided for rotating aroundaxis Z inside the opening 112. To this end, the external diameter of thelower rim 120B is substantially equal to the diameter of the opening112. The upper rim 120A rests upon studs 122 on the lower rim 120B.

The gate 5 is mounted on the upper wall of the upper rim 120A. Fixingscrews 123 are provided for fixing gate 5, and/or if necessary gate 6,on the upper rim 120A. These screws also serve for fixing upper rim 120Aon the lower rim 120B.

As shown in the FIGS. 3 and 4, the support frame 121 is generally Ushaped. It comprises a base 124 and two parallel lateral branches 125extending from the base. The printed circuit board 43 supporting thethree-axis Hall-effect sensor 41 is mounted on the upper side of thebase 124. Furthermore, the means 3 for articulating the speed controllerlever are placed between the two lateral branches 125.

As specifically shown in FIG. 4 the means 3 for articulating the speedcontroller lever comprise a casing 31 pivotally mounted between the twolateral branches 125 by means of two pivots 32 and 33 arranged on twolateral walls of the casing 31. These two pivots are placed on thelongitudinal axis X and are provided to cause the casing 31 to pivotaround the axis X. These two pivots are rotatably mounted within theopenings 126 provided in the lateral branches 125. The casing 31 furthercomprises a shaft 34 defining the transversal axis Y. This shaft ismounted between two longitudinal walls of the casing. The shaft 34 isprovided to pivot within openings provided in the longitudinal walls ofthe casing. This pivoting assembly is known per se. The casing 31 alsocomprises known means (not shown) capable of maintaining the speedcontroller lever in one of the positions M1 to M8 in the manual mode.

Elastic return means 7 are mounted between the casing 31 and the supportframe 121 to elastically bring the speed controller lever towards theneutral position. Such transversal elastic return means already exist incurrent gear shift boxes to return a gear shift lever back towards theneutral position along a transversal direction. Usually, they are onlyuseful in the manual mode. According to the invention, they are alsouseful in the sequential mode.

The support casing 1 also comprises means 13 for locking in rotation themovable set 12 onto the stationary set 11. The locking means 13 are ableto lock the movable set in at least two locking positions, namely aso-called manual position for the manual mode and a so-called sequentialposition for the sequential mode, angularly shifted by 90° from eachother.

To this end, the locking means 13 comprises a catch 131 mounted movablein translation on a support plate 111 and capable of cooperating with atleast two recesses 132 and 133 provided in the external wall of theupper rim 120A to lock the rotation of the rim. Recesses 132 and 133 areangularly shifted by 90°. The catch 131 is provided with a spur 131Acapable of being engaged in recess 132 in order to lock the movable setin the manual position. The spur 131A further engages into the recess133 in order to lock the movable set in the sequential position.Additional recesses 134 are also provided in the upper rim torotationally lock the movable set into other angular positions. A returnspring 136 is provided to maintain the catch 131 in recesses 132, 133 or134.

Alternatively, the catch 131 is cancelled so as to avoid the mechanicallooseness caused by such a locking means. It is replaced by anotherlocking means for example, by a tightening carried out by two screwsacting between the upper rim 120A and the lower rim which is secured tothe support frame 121. After tightening, the screw heads are located inhousings made in the upper rim such as not to overlap the upper surfacethereof. These screws cross the opening 112 of the support plate 111.The upper rim and the lower rim are thus provided to rotate around axisZ. In this alternative, the external diameter of the upper rim and lowerrim is substantially higher than the diameter of the opening 112.Consequently, by tightening these screws, the upper rim 120A (the studsof the upper rim) and the lower rim tightly press the support plate 111between them. It is thus understood that after having loosened thesescrews, the upper rim and the support frame 121 may pivot with respectto the support plate 111. The advantage of such a locking means is thatit does not restrict the number of angular positions that may be adoptedby the movable set.

The support casing 1 also comprises U-bolt type or clamp type fixingmeans 14 for attachment to a piece of furniture, such as a table, a deskor any support inside a cockpit/driver compartment/pilot house. Thesefixing means make it possible to easily modify the location of the speedcontroller by loosening the means 14.

In order to prevent foreign bodies from entering the speed controllermechanism, means for shutting-off opening 112 are advantageouslyprovided, for example rubber bellows comprising an opening for the rod20 or two thin brushes arranged on either side of the neutral row. Theseshut-off means become deformed when the lever 2 substantially leaves therest position and resume their form when the lever 2 returns to the restposition.

Advantageously, the area of the rod 20 which may contact gates 5 and/or6 is covered with a Teflon ring to limit friction between these pieces.

In a particular embodiment, the rod 21 is hollow and the knob 21 housesa known device for generating vibrations or shocks consisting forexample, in a movable mass and an electric motor supplied in power andcontrolled by the processing circuit or an external device forprocessing data. The aim of this vibration or shock generating device isto cause a user to feel the vibrations of the simulated vehicle whenhe/she is holding the lever, for example vibrations corresponding to asub-regime or a shock corresponding to the shifting of a gear, or evenvibrations simulating the implementation of an anti lock brake system,etc.

A mode selector button 113 is provided at the support plate so that theuser may select the operating mode of the speed controller: manual modeor sequential mode.

Alternatively, a device for automatically detecting the rotation of themovable set 12 to change from the manual mode to the sequential mode orvice versa may be provided.

According to another alternative, instead of or in addition to a devicefor automatically detecting the rotation of the movable set 12, a devicefor automatically detecting the presence or absence of a gate that isspecific to a speed controller mode may be provided in order to changeautomatically from one mode to another. To this end, one or severalpresence sensors for example, of push button type or rubbercarbon-contact dome type, may be housed in the rim 120. Each presencesensor opens or closes a circuit according to whether an object of thegate, for example a protrusion positioned at a specific location on thegate, exerts pressure on the sensitive portion of the presence sensorand thus sufficiently deforms a flexible blade or the rubber dome tochange the status of the sensor, thus making it change from an openstatus to a closed status or vice versa.

Furthermore, the signals issued from the Hall-effect sensor 41 and theselector button 113 are transmitted towards a processing circuit that isnot shown which can be embedded or not within the speed controller. TheHall-effect sensor 41 may also be integrated within the processingcircuit.

The speed controller has been described above as a speed selectingapparatus capable of operating according to a manual mode and asequential mode.

According to another application, the speed controller of the inventionis used to simulate a hand brake. In this application, the lever 2pivots around the longitudinal axis X, in a transversal directionbetween two different positions, a first position corresponding to theabsence of braking and a second position transversally shifted from thefirst position corresponding to a maximum braking. The first positionadvantageously corresponds to the neutral position of the speedcontroller when it operates as a speed selecting apparatus.

In this application, the user moves the lever in the transversal slot(neutral row) to control the braking and, if the first positioncorresponds to the previously defined neutral position N, the leverpivots in the transversal slot only on one side of the neutral position.

In another application, the speed controller may be used both as a handbrake and a manual accelerator. In this application, the user alsopreferably uses the neutral row of the manual mode for the travel of thelever 2. The lever 2 pivots around the longitudinal axis X, in atransversal direction, between two positions on either side of theneutral position. A first position is the maximum speed control positionand the second position is the maximum braking control position.Preferably, the second position is opposed to the first position withrespect to the neutral position. Thus, in this application, the leverpivots in the transversal slot on either side of the neutral position.

Whether it be to simulate a speed selecting apparatus, an accelerator ora brake (hand brake, for example), the speed controller is used fordetecting at least two different positions of the speed controller leverand these positions correspond to a speed parameter of the simulatedvehicle. In these different applications, the speed controller such aspreviously described acts to control the speed. In the firstapplication, the speed controller is used to select a gear. In thehandbrake application, the speed controller is used to select thebraking force to be opposed to the rotation of the vehicle wheels, whichis also equivalent to controlling the speed of this vehicle. In thebrake and accelerator application, the speed controller is used toselect the required motor power, which is also equivalent to controllingthe vehicle speed.

The selector button 113 is used to select the required operating mode:speed selection manual mode, speed selection sequential mode, hand-brakeonly mode or hand brake and accelerator mode.

Hereinafter, the use of the speed controller of the invention in thehand brake application as well as the possible modifications which maybe brought to it for this application will be described.

In this application, the lever 2 travels in the transversal slot(neutral row of the manual mode). The transversal elastic return means 7are used to bring the lever 2 towards the neutral position correspondingto the absence of braking It is worth noting that it is not necessary toprovide means for locking the lever 2 in its brake position in this handbrake application. In fact, the usefulness of a parking position,wherein the lever 2 is locked into maximum brake position, is low formost video games.

The rest position of the lever 2 (when the user is not exerting actionon the lever) is located in the neutral row at the intersection with thelongitudinal direction corresponding to referenced positions M3 and M4.In FIGS. 1 and 3, the lever 2 is represented in the rest position. Therest position of lever 2 is thus shifted with respect to the middle ofthe neutral row. When the speed controller is used as hand brake, theuser moves the lever 2 along the neutral row of the speed controller.The shifting of the rest position with respect to the middle of theneutral row makes it possible to obtain a greater travel of the lever onone side of the rest position. When the speed controller is used as ahand brake, the lever 2 thus travels on the side of the rest positionwhich offers a longer clearance for the lever, thus allowing a moreprecise selection of the braking force.

For this application, the speed controller comprises a third removablegate which may be mounted on the support casing 1, instead of gate 5, orover gate 5, this third gate being specifically designed to guide thetravel of the lower free end of the lever 2 between the neutral positionN (position of the lever 2 in abutment against a first end of the slot,and substantially corresponding to the rest position of the lever 2) andthe maximum braking position (position of the lever 2 in abutmentagainst the other end of the slot). This third gate solely comprises atransversal slot sized to allow, in the hand-brake only mode, the travelof the lower free end of the speed controller lever only between thesetwo positions. Advantageously, the length of the slot of this third gateis comprised between the length of slot 51 and the length of the slot61. However, the slot of this third gate may be longer than slot 51 inorder to give the lever 2 a greater travel.

It is possible to provide, at the end of the transversal slot of thethird gate, a longitudinal slot opening into the transversal slot inorder to lock the lever 2 thereto in the maximum braking position. Thislongitudinal slot makes it possible to simply create a parking positionfor the simulated vehicle.

When the lever 2 of the speed controller is used as a speed selectinglever, the speed controller provides digital information. In otherwords, when the lever 2 is used as a gear shift lever, the speedcontroller provides information on the state (1 or 0) corresponding toeach position N and M1 to M8 in the manual mode or to each position Nand S1 to S2 in the sequential mode. For example, if lever 2 is used asa gear shift lever in the sequential mode, and when the speed controllerlever is in the position corresponding to S1, the speed controllerprovides the information S1=1, N=0 and S2=0.

Preferably, when the speed controller is used as a hand brake, the speedcontroller provides analog information to have more precision as to thebraking force required by the user. In other words, when the lever 2 isused as a hand brake lever, the speed controller provides a valuecomprised in an interval, for example a value ranging between 0 and 256,corresponding to the angular position of the lever 2, the value 0corresponding for example to the neutral position of the lever (nobraking of the wheels of the simulated vehicle) and the value 256corresponding to the position of the lever 2 in abutment against the endwhich is opposite from the neutral position (maximum braking of thewheel speed of the simulated vehicle).

Advantageously, the speed controller is provided with an ergonomicaccessory that substantially reproduces the shape of the hand brakelever and is placed on the rod 20 instead of the knob 21 for this handbrake application.

In a particular embodiment, the presence of this accessory is detectedby the presence sensors of the automatic detection device to switchautomatically to the hand-brake only mode.

It has to be noted that the speed controller may also provide additionalinformation such as the rotation speed of lever 2. This information maybe used by the video game to generate particular effects (for example, avibration effect and the sound of the creaking of a gearbox) more orless loud depending on the rotation speed of the lever (and the strokemeasured on the clutch pedal for example).

Whatever the use mode of the speed controller, the signals generatedfrom the Hall-effect sensor 41, are translated by the processing circuitwith its firmware into output signals comprising information orparameters that can be used by a game console, a computer or anotherexternal data-processing device. The nature and number of parametersthat can be used depend in particular on the video game. Based on theinformation generated from the Hall-effect sensor 41, the firmwaredetermines the characteristics of the lever 2 travel with respect to thethree-axis Hall-effect sensor 41 (angular values, speeds, etc.) and thuswith respect to the support frame 121. According to the operating modeof the speed controller, it converts certain of these characteristics byattributing to the lever 2 a lever position in the manual mode (M1-M8 orN) or a position in the sequential mode (S1-S2 or N) or a valuecorresponding to a predetermined integer.

Advantageously, a firmware may be updated. To this end, the processingcircuit comprises a reprogrammable and erasable non-volatile memory.

The firmware makes it possible to calibrate each position of the speedcontroller lever. More precisely, it makes it possible to attribute to adetected or computed data range (such as angular values according toaxes X and Y, speeds of rotation, etc.) a position of the speedcontroller lever. For example, it determines that the lever is in the M3position when the detected angular value ranges between thepredetermined angular values A1 and A2, that it is in the neutralposition when the detected angular value ranges between predeterminedangular values A2 and A3, and it is in position M4 when the detectedangular value ranges between predetermined angular values A3 and A4. Thefirmware may thus be adjusted to particularly simulate shorter gears andfaster gear shifting. In fact, it is understood that a relatively smalltravel of lever 2 is sufficient to modify the detected angular value andcause it to change the range, and consequently, it is sufficient tochoose bounds [A1,A2], [A2,A3] or [A3,A4] of the detected value rangeaccording to the location from which, over the travel stroke of thelever, the gear changing is to be activated. It is also understood that,likewise, in the hand-brake only mode, the firmware makes it possible tocalibrate the neutral position and the opposite position (maximumbraking position). This makes it possible to determine from whichangular position a braking starts to be exerted and from which angularposition the braking is at its maximum.

The speed controller may be provided with a configuration programparticularly for updating the firmware. This program may also betransmitted to video game software editors so that it is embedded intheir video game software. This configuration program comprises forexample boxes to tick in order to activate, for example a hand brakemode, a short gear manual mode, or even short gears sequential mode.

Although the invention has been described in connection with aparticular embodiment, it is to be understood that it is in no waylimited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents ofthe means described as well as their combinations should these fallwithin the scope of the invention.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A controller, in particular for video games,capable of operate according to at least a gear selection modecomprising: a support casing, a lever mounted on said support casing andat least capable of pivoting, from a neutral position, around a firstaxis (Y) and around a second axis (X), the second axis (X) beingsubstantially right angled with respect to the first axis (Y), anddetection means capable of detecting, in the gear selection mode, atleast two different positions of the controller lever obtained bypivoting the controller lever around at least said first axis (Y) fromthe neutral position in at least a gear selection mode direction inwhich the controller lever moves substantially at right angle to a gearselection mode neutral row, and, characterized in that said controlleris capable of operate according to a brake mode, and, in that, in thebrake mode, the controller lever is capable of pivoting around saidsecond axis (X) in a brake mode direction, in such a way that, in saidbrake mode direction, the controller lever moves substantially alongsaid gear selection mode neutral row.
 16. The controller according toclaim 15, characterized in that said detection means are capable ofdetecting, in the brake mode, at least two different positions of thecontroller lever.
 17. The controller according to claim 16,characterized in that it comprises a removable gate capable of beingmounted on the support casing or, alternatively, on a gate having afirst slot for the gear selection mode neutral row and one or more slotseach substantially right angled with respect to the first slot andopening in the first slot for the gear selection mode direction, saidremovable gate comprising a brake mode slot for the passage of thecontroller lever, the slot of said removable gate being sized such that,in the brake mode, the neutral position is at a first end of said slotand a braking position is reached by moving the controller lever in thebrake mode direction towards the other end of said slot.
 18. Thecontroller according to claim 17, characterized in that the length ofthe slot of the removable gate is lower than the length of the firstslot of the gear selection mode neutral row.
 19. The controlleraccording to claim 15, characterized in that the support casingcomprises: a stationary set to be fixedly mounted on a support such as atable, and a movable set on which said controller lever is hingeablymounted, said movable set being movable in rotation on said stationaryset around a rotational axis (Z) substantially perpendicular to saidfirst axis (Y) and said second axis (X).
 20. The controller according toclaim 19, characterized in that said stationary set comprises a supportplate provided with a substantially circular opening through which saidmovable set is mounted movable in rotation.
 21. The controller accordingto claim 20, characterized in that said movable set comprises: a rimmovable in rotation around said rotational axis (Z) in the opening ofthe support plate, the inner passage of said rim being traversed by thecontroller lever, and a support frame, fixed to the lower wall of saidrim, the controller lever being pivotally hinged around said first axisand said second axis via articulation means.
 22. The controlleraccording to claim 21, characterized in that the support frame is Ushaped and comprises a base and two parallel lateral branches extendingfrom said base and in that said articulation means are mounted betweenthe lateral branches of the support frame.
 23. The controller accordingto claim 15, characterized in that the neutral position is shifted withrespect to the middle of the gear selection mode neutral row.
 24. Thecontroller according to claim 19, characterized in that the supportcasing comprises means for rotationally locking said movable set withrespect to the stationary set.
 25. The controller according to claim 24,characterized in that the rotationally locking means are capable oflocking said movable set in at least a gear selection mode position anda brake mode position angularly shifted by 90° from each other.
 26. Thecontroller according to claim 16, characterized in that said detectionmeans comprise a Hall-effect sensor associated to a magnet, saidHall-effect sensor being mounted on a member among the lower free end ofthe controller lever and the support casing, said magnet being mountedfacing said Hall-effect sensor on the other of the lower free end of thecontroller lever and the support casing.
 27. The controller according toclaim 19, characterized in that a Hall-effect sensor is mounted on themovable set and a magnet is mounted facing said Hall-effect sensor onthe lower end of the controller lever.
 28. The controller according toclaim 15, characterized in that said support casing comprises fixingmeans, of U-bolt type or clamp type for example, for fixing said supportcasing to a piece of furniture such as a table or a desk.
 29. A videogame controller, capable of operate according to at least a gearselection mode comprising: a support casing, a lever mounted on saidsupport casing and at least capable of pivoting, from a neutralposition, around a first axis (Y) and around a second axis (X), thesecond axis (X) being substantially right angled with respect to thefirst axis (Y), and detection means capable of detecting, in the gearselection mode, at least two different positions of the controller leverobtained by pivoting the controller lever around at least said firstaxis (Y) from the neutral position in at least a gear selection modedirection in which the controller lever moves substantially at rightangle to a gear selection mode neutral row, and, characterized in thatsaid controller is capable of operate according to a brake mode in saidgear selection mode neutral row, and, in that, at least in the brakemode, the detection means are capable of detecting the angular valueaccording to the second axis (X) of the controller lever.
 30. A videogame controller according to claim 29, characterized in that, saiddetection means comprise a Hall-effect sensor associated to a magnet,said Hall-effect sensor being mounted on a member among the lower freeend of the controller lever and the support casing, said magnet beingmounted on the other of the lower free end of the controller lever andthe support casing, and said Hall-effect sensor and said magnet beingsubstantially aligned according to a third axis (Z) substantiallyperpendicular to said first axis (Y) and said second axis (X).
 31. Avideo game controller according to claim 29, characterized in that thecontroller embeds a firmware to modify at least two bounds of saidangular value, in such a way to calibrate the video game controller. 32.A video game controller according to claim 29, characterized in that,the neutral position is shifted with respect to the middle of theneutral row.
 33. A controller, in particular for video games, capable ofoperate according to at least a sequential mode and a manual modecomprising: a support casing, a lever mounted on said support casing andat least capable of pivoting, from a neutral position, at least around afirst axis, and detection means capable of detecting, in the manualmode, at least two different positions of the controller lever obtainedby pivoting the controller lever from the neutral position in at least amanual mode direction, and, characterized in that said controller iscapable of operate according to a brake mode, and, in that, in thesequential mode, the detection means are capable of detecting at leasttwo different positions of the controller lever obtained by pivoting thecontroller lever in a sequential mode direction from the neutralposition around the first axis, and in the brake mode, the detectionmeans are capable of detecting at least the angular position of thecontroller lever when the controller lever pivots around the first axisin a brake mode direction.
 34. A controller according to claim 33,characterized in that, in the brake mode, the controller outputs analoginformation and that in the manual mode and in the sequential mode, thecontroller outputs digital information.